Mapping the Various Meanings of Social Innovation : Towards a Differentiated Understanding of an Emerging Concept

With a growing and especially fragmented body of literature on social innovations, the demand for categorizing the field increases. This study analyzes the current use of the concept social innovation. Following a systematic conceptual literature review methodology, the authors reviewed articles and books. The elements were then grouped in coherent categories. The authors found seven categories of social innovation that are linked to a distinct understanding of the concept. After presenting the categories and major themes which are discussed within each category, the different categories are set in context with each other. Subsequently, the authors discuss how the most prominent conceptualizations meet the criteria of concept clarity. Finally, the authors point to some aspects that are necessary in the future in order to strengthen the clarity of the social innovation concept